Every year, fashion lovers look forward to the Big Four Fashion Weeks held in New York, London, Paris, and Milan. But over time, another city has also become a favourite among fashion insiders.
Yes, we are talking about none other than the Copenhagen Fashion Week, which has even been dubbed as the unofficial “fifth fashion capital” by many insiders over the years. And did you know that in 2026 the Danish event also celebrated its 20th anniversary?
With its wide range of collaborations with emerging designers and its focus on eco-conscious values, the Copenhagen Fashion Week has also given Denmark a major economic boost.
According to Danmarks Statistik, the Danish fashion industry's revenue has grown by over 24 percent, ranking as the third third-largest export industry, since it was launched back in 2006. On an international scale, the Danish fashion exports have also grown by 84 percent, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the industry's total revenue, as reported by Fashion United.
For the 20th anniversary, which fell in January 2026, the Copenhagen Fashion Week CEO Cecilie Thorsmark highlighted the progress the fashion week has made over the past two decades.
"Marking 20 years is first and foremost a moment to recognize the strength of the Nordic fashion community. CPHFW has grown alongside the industry, and our role has always been to create a platform that brings people together, support new voices, and help position Nordic fashion within a global context. As we look ahead, our focus remains on how fashion can continue to develop responsibly, creatively, and collaboratively,” she said in a statement.
As Denmark welcomes another Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 this week, we thought to take a deeper dive into the fashion show's history, what makes it so unique, and style tips to get your own Scandinavian looks.
The Beginning
It was in 2006 when the Danish clothing trade fairs, Dansk Modeuge and Dansk Herremodeuge, merged and led to the launch of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Spearheaded by founding CEO and former Eurowoman magazine editor Eva Kruse, she developed the initial concept.
The fashion week in its early years was known as a modest local event focusing on Scandinavian minimalism, local designers, and intimate industry gatherings.
But in just two short years, current CEO Cecilie Thorsmark had an even bigger and more ambitious vision. In an interview with Elle magazine, she shared how she applied for the job and saw huge potential to challenge the status quo and redefine the event's purpose.
Inspired by her father, who worked for the Danish Ministry of the Environment, Thorsmark then developed major sustainability requirements that transformed Copenhagen Fashion Week into a hub for sustainable fashion as we know it today.
"The industry lives in its own bubble, and very little attention is paid to the world around us. We face some very big challenges, especially with our environmental footprint. I wanted to see how we could use our platform as a force for change," she said in the interview.
From developing a framework and criteria to equip fashion brands with the knowledge and tools needed to make sustainable changes, Thorsmark tackled challenges such as overproduction by lowering production volumes and encouraging more circular principles in how brands operate and produce.
And needless to say, the twice-a-year event soon started bringing in international press and big editors. This helped famous Danish fashion brands like Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen, and Saks Potts gain global popularity.
Championing Fashion Sustainability
While Copenhagen Fashion Week features amazing talent, trendy Nordic style, and tons of emerging labels, the world really started paying attention to it because of its game-changing sustainability rules.
To put it simply, no designer brand can be on the official schedule unless it hits the sustainability goals, which include specific green and ethical standards that put sustainability first.
The rules are split into six main areas: strategy, design, smart material choices, fair working conditions, customer involvement, and how the shows are produced. And each brand has to pass strict basic requirements that cover these criterias, according to A Sustainable Closet.
From carbon-conscious shows to circular fashion initiatives, Copenhagen Fashion Week's green efforts have definitely put it in a league of its own. This is especially true when you compare it to other fashion week cities like Berlin and Seoul. According to The Guardian, more than 30 brands have met these sustainability rules today. On top of that, fashion groups in Berlin and London are now starting to follow Copenhagen's lead.
Besides the bold sustainability initiative, Copenhagen Fashion Week is also known to champion new and emerging designers. Brands like Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen, Saks Potts, Rotate, and later A. Roege Hove has received major international visibility through the platforms.
Ganni, for instance, is one of Denmark's leading fashion brands and a success story of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Known for its Scandi-cool style, the brand offers bold maximalist pieces with favourite pieces that include oversized Peter Pan collars, leopard-print jeans, graphic tees, and buckled slingbacks. Following its amazing success, the brand has now decamped from Copenhagen and begun showcasing its new collections at Paris Fashion Week.
"There is no doubt Copenhagen Fashion Week has been our main stage and helped us become an international brand," said the brand's creative director, Ditte Reffstrup, to The Guardian.
There is also another homegrown brand, Baum und Pferdgarten, which gained international exposure through Copenhagen Fashion Week. When they started out, the founders said that they asked friends and family to help set up its catwalk and cut out seating cards as they slowly built up the brand. But, today Baum und Pferdgarten has come a long way and is available in more than 30 countries.
Copenhagen Fashion Week is also known for its buyer-editor ecosystem, where key figures from major fashion media, such as Vogue, WWD, and Business of Fashion, as well as buyers from luxury retailers, gathered annually to discover new and emerging brands before everyone else.
But, at its core, Copenhagen Fashion Week has always been first and foremost about Scandinavian aesthetics and the ever-cool street style each year.
Scandinavian Fashion & Copenhagen Street Style
What makes Scandinavian style so different from the others? It’s because the fashion style is rooted in simplicity, practicality, and functionality.
By mixing clean minimalism with everyday comfort, the Scandi style (as it's often dubbed) features practical designs, neutral palettes, and relaxed fits that hold a strong appeal for fashion lovers who want to look their best without trying too hard.
The Scandinavian fashion style itself focuses on layering high-quality basics with functional outerwear, but with a twist of unexpected playful contrast. So, how do you style it? First, choose a neutral foundation, mostly in colours like black, white, grey, beige, or earthy tones. Then, layer it with relaxed outerwear, such as oversized blazers, wide-leg trousers, and cosy coats. The twist comes from adding a dollop of playful contrast, including bright colours, quirky prints, and chunky boots to balance out the minimalist look.
The style has also become immensely popular thanks to viral hashtags, such as #ScandiGirl and #ScandiStyle, on social media, particularly on TikTok and Instagram. The hashtags, which emerged around 2022, have inspired millions of users to share their own Scandinavian style by sharing outfit inspiration, styling tips, and everyday looks.
Besides Scandinavian style and iconic Danish brands, Copenhagen Fashion Week is also known for its uniquely cool street style that unfolds right outside the main venue. Over the years, we have seen countless experimental style blends with Nordic comfort across the internet. From oversized jackets and unexpected colour combinations to skirts-over-trousers looks and, let's not forget, ballet flats paired with socks, there has always been a burst of creativity and individuality like no other.
It doesn't hurt either that many famous Danish stylists and fashion influencers treat Copenhagen Fashion Week as their own catwalks, easily standing out from the crowd in photographs. But the reason their street style resonates with millions around the world is simply because it can be easily recreated for everyday wear without sacrificing comfort, just like you can too.
Shop your next Copenhagen Fashion Week-inspired pieces only at MAYFEYR.
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